I want to thank everyone who bought Christmas trees, wreaths and made donations at Cub Pack 32's recent fundraiser. I also want to thank our sponsor, the South Bay Volunteer Fire Department of Cicero, for accommodating our sale.

Although we fell far short of our goal and barely broke even, our tree sale was still a remarkable success.

Our Cub Scouts did their very best over the three-weekend sale but several factors worked against them including very cold temperatures and the theft of the original signs advertising our Christmas tree sale.

Financially the sale was a bust. We were left with 19 Christmas trees, 38 percent of our inventory, unsold. Needless to say I and the other parents were very disappointed. I was prepared to store the trees until spring and burn them in a pack campfire.

Then something remarkable happened. Instead of burning the surplus trees, the boys in our pack said the trees should be given to area families who could not afford to buy a Christmas tree. We contacted churches and food pantries and homes were found for many of the trees. We plan to mulch the remaining trees for landscaping at the firehouse.

One of the goals of Cub Scouting is to provide useful life lessons for young boys. But I can tell you it works in reverse too. Young Cub Scouts provide life lessons for adults.

To the boys of Cub Scout Pack 32 I say well done and I am very proud of you all.